The concept art for the master of sleuth and shadow, the Investigator (Provided By Paizo)

This is part four of a four-part series on Paizo’s upcoming “Advanced Class Guide” (ACG). We reviewed seven of the 10 classes the book introduces. Click here for the reviews Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

After the playtest, I spoke to Paizo Publishing’s Lead Designer Jason Bulmahn for his words on how this project got started and what Pathfinder fans can expect when the full book hits store shelves in time for the first day of Indianapolis’ Gen Con on Aug. 14.

According to Bulmahn, the concept for the hybrid classes in ACG stemmed from Ultimate Magic’s Magus. The Magus is a unique blend of a Fighter and Wizard that has potent abilities that allow characters to cast spells while they attack. Before the class was even created, fans were intrigued by the concept of mixing a Fighter and Wizard. Needless to say, the class was well received.

But the Fighter/Wizard combo is just one of many hybrid concepts players have been trying to accomplish for years. Whether in person or online, gamers have long debated the best avenues to take for creating hybrid characters, be it through multiclassing, feats and/or other options the game provides.

Many of those endeavors however, end up missing the mark of the hybrid concept. The Magus closed the gap. With the ACG, the developers at Paizo hope to accomplish the same thing with new hybrids.

Joe Nguyen is the online prep sports editor for The Denver Post. He had prior worked with the Post's YourHub section, covering Adams County and Aurora. His obsessions have ranged from comics books and...

A nerd who is intrigued by all things extraordinary and otherworldly. When he’s not working, he can be found in a small room, playing D&D, pretending to be a three-foot gnome who charges dragons while mounted on a fox.